A system and method for updating a replicated destination file system snapshot with changes in a source file system snapshot, provides an extensible, file system-independent format to transmit a data stream of change data over the network. The format enabled backward compatibility between different versions of applications running on the source and destination through use of discrete header types which, if not recognized by a version of the application are ignored. In addition, the headers, which can carry data, or act as basic headers for follow on data, include expansion space for additional information.